US Sanctuaries Shelter Hundreds of Rescued Farm Animals

Several U.S. farm sanctuaries have grown from personal acts of rescue into community-supported refuges for animals. Austin Farm Sanctuary in Texas began when Chris and Angela Fuller-Wigg took in two unwanted dairy goats in 2016 and now cares for nearly 240 animals on 95 acres. In Florida, Erin and Chris Amerman’s Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary has expanded to 420 acres and more than 180 cows, while also protecting wildlife and welcoming visitors. Massachusetts’ Smokey Chestnut Farm, founded by Heidi and Bobby Medas, provides lifelong care for 20 rescued animals, including horses saved from slaughter, with help from more than 60 volunteers. Separately, Colorado volunteers are building WestCO CART, a trained response team intended to rescue and shelter animals during disasters and reunite them with their owners.